Notes

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume V: "The name Rust has
figured in Virginia history since about the year 1650, William
Rust, the founder of the family in this state, settling at about
that date in what is now known as Northumberland county. He was
a renowned hunter and Indian fighter. John Warwick Rust, of
Fairfax Court House, Virginia, a twentieth century
representative of the family, is a lineal descendant of William
Rust, the pioneer settler, and through maternal lines traces to
other prominent families of the South, including the Marshalls,
Ashbys, and McKays.

All of the southern Rusts are descended from the pioneer,
William Rust, who is thought to have come from Northumberland to
Westmoreland county, but some authorities stating direct from
England. The coat-of-arms of the Rust family is given in Burke's
Armory as follows: Ar. a saltire az. betw. two Roman fasces in
pale ppr. and as many crosses pattee fitchee in fesse gu. Crest:
A demi-lion gu. holding in the dexter paw an ivory rod and
charged on the shoulder with three crosses pattee fitchee
chevronwise or. Motto: Veritatis et aequitatis tenax.

The earliest records of the Rust family in England are in
Norfolk county, of Hugh Rust, in 1312, of Thomas and Robert
Rust, in 1379, and of Peter Rust, in 1655. The will of William
Rust is recorded in Westmoreland county, Virginia, and is dated
March 18, 1696, and probated July 28, 1697; his wife is named as
Margaret and the document is witnessed by George Rust. The
children named in the will are William, Ann, Margaret, and
probably George and Samuel Rust. Another will of William Rust,
probably son of the above William, is dated 1699, and evidence
points toward his having a son named John."

Will of William Rust
November 29, 1699
In the Name of God Amen I William Rust of Youcomoco in the
parish of Cople in the County of Westmoreland daily finding
myself to decline in my health, yet praise by god of Perfect
sound mind and memory, observing the fraelty & uncertainty of
Life doe make this my last will and Testament.